On December 15, 2021, senators approved on third reading the Senate Bill No. 2094; garnering votes of 18-3-0 in favor of amending the Commonwealth Act No. 146 or the Public Service Act of 1936. The country was long held back by its underinvested public service infrastructure which in turn prohibited healthy market competition and resulted in high service costs that burden both direct consumers and exporters in general.
The Export Development Council-Networking Committee on Legislative Advocacy and Monitoring (EDC-NCLAM) advocated for the liberalization of telecommunications and common carriers in the previous version of the bill. Hence, this development in liberalizing our economy is greatly supported by the EDC. These amendments will reduce the cost of inter-island shipping by paving the way for competition in the shipping industry.
Continue reading Liberalization of public service: An amendment to the 85-year-old Public Service Act
MV IRIS Paoay, the first PH flag ship to cross the Pacific in 30 years in September 2021, will once again sail to the US in December this year. Similar to its maiden voyage, it will also be a direct, non-stop service between the Philippines (MNL-CEB-DVO) and the US at Pier A, Long Beach Port (LGB) Port in Los Angeles. 
The Department of Trade and Industry-Export Marketing Bureau (DTI-EMB), Export Development Council (
The Bureau of Customs (BOC) allowed adjustments on minor errors, misdeclaration, or misclassification in the Export Declaration (ED) form without having to pay the fines. A fee amounting to Php 5,000 per clerical error and 250% surcharge per misdeclaration or misclassification is still imposed if discrepancies in the ED are fraudulent.
The Export Development Council (EDC) manifests its support on the full investment liberalization outside of the natural monopolies through a joint statement of support with the Industry Leaders, namely the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), Philippine Exporters Confederation, Inc. (PHILEXPORT), Employers Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP), and Supply Chain Management Association of the Philippines (SCMAP).
There is a silver lining on the issue of lack of vessel space and containers, as another Philippine shipping company based in Mindanao, the Reefer Express Line Filipinas, Inc. takes on long haul US route with its vessel MV Cool Spirit to help the exporters ship their goods amid the current global transport and logistics problem. The voyage started from General Santos City last 02 September 2021. 